A landowner in Mason County is being investigated
for charges of alleged cruelty to animals.

The investigation was initiated by the Mason County
Sheriff's Department after a resident of Key Pike complained to officials of
dead and malnourish horses at the property of George Samuel Jones, 63, of 6196
Key Pike.

Deputy Matt Gallenstein was dispatched to the property
to investigate the allegations and by the end of the day, Jones was charged
with 30 counts of second-degree cruelty to animals and six counts of failure
to dispose of animal carcasses.

Jones has been served with a summons to appear in
Mason District Court on Monday, Jan. 25 to answer the allegations. Officials
said Jones was in full cooperation when asked for access to the property.

According to Sheriff Patrick Boggs, 30 horses and
donkeys in Jones' custody have been allowed to go without food and water; the
neglect allegedly resulted in the death of six horses.

The carcasses of the six horses were not properly
buried or removed from the property.

Boggs said in addition to Gallenstein, two local
veterinarians were allowed onto the property by Jones to inspect the animals
and make a determination as to the well-being of the animals.

Following the inspection, officials with the Kentucky
Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Equestrian Association were contacted
to work with the sheriff's office to inspect the horses and donkeys in an effort
to determine if seizure of the animals would be appropriate, Boggs said.

Officer Shane Mitchell of the Kentucky Department
of Agriculture is also assisting with the investigation.

(Photo courtesy of Mason County Sheriff's Department)

"Mr. Jones tells us he had somebody, a hired
hand to take care of them. He says he's been in bad health himself. I don't
believe economics is part of the problem here. I believe its just neglect of
the animals," said Sheriff Patrick Boggs of Mason County.

"There was no water out for the animals, very
minimal water,” the Sheriff added. “There was hay on the farm and
feed for the horses and donkeys on the farm, but was not made accessible to
the animals."

The farm also houses 150 other horses.

"We were out with the Department of Agriculture
and Mr. Jones is taking the proper steps to remedy the situation as far as disposing
of the carcasses and feeding the livestock," said Boggs.

The horses will remain on the property unless a
judge orders them elsewhere.